Boxer facts for kids
When you hear the word Boxer, it most often refers to a person who practices the exciting sport of boxing. Boxing is a combat sport where two people throw punches at each other, usually wearing special padded gloves. But "Boxer" can also mean other things, like a type of dog, a character from a famous book, or even a kind of underwear!
Contents
The Sport of Boxing
What is Boxing?
Boxing is a sport where two athletes, called boxers, fight using only their fists. They wear protective gloves and try to hit each other above the waist, usually in a special ring. The goal is to score points by landing punches or to knock out your opponent.
A Quick Look at History
Boxing is a very old sport! People have been punching each other in contests for thousands of years.
Ancient drawings and writings show that boxing was popular in Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome. It was even part of the ancient Olympic Games. Modern boxing, with rules we recognize today, started to develop in England in the 1700s. Over time, rules were added to make the sport safer and fairer.
How Boxers Fight
Boxers use different ways to stand and move. These are called stances.
- Upright stance
- Semi-crouch
- Full crouch
They also use different types of punches:
- Jab: A quick, straight punch, usually with the lead hand.
- Cross: A powerful straight punch thrown across the body with the rear hand.
- Hook: A curved punch thrown to the side of the opponent's head or body.
- Uppercut: An upward punch thrown to the opponent's chin or body.
- Bolo punch: A looping punch that looks like a baseball pitch.
- Overhand: A looping punch thrown over the opponent's guard.
Boxers also learn how to defend themselves:
- Slipping: Moving the head to avoid a punch.
- Bobbing: Moving the entire body down and up to avoid a punch.
- Blocking: Using arms or gloves to stop punches.
- Cover-Up: Protecting the head and body with gloves.
- Clinching: Holding an opponent to stop them from punching.
- Footwork: Moving the feet to get into a better position or avoid punches.
Famous Boxers
Many boxers have become worldwide legends.
Muhammad Ali is often called "The Greatest" and was known for his speed and unique style. George Foreman was a powerful puncher. Joe Louis was a dominant champion in the 1930s and 40s.
Nicola Adams from the UK made history as the first female boxer to win an Olympic gold medal.
Safety in Boxing
Boxers wear special gear to protect themselves. This includes padded gloves, headgear (especially in amateur boxing), and mouthguards. Trainers and referees make sure the rules are followed to keep boxers as safe as possible.
Other Meanings of Boxer
Boxer (Dog)
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A Boxer dog is a medium-sized dog breed known for being playful, energetic, and loyal. They have a short coat and a distinctive square-shaped head. They are often used as guard dogs or family pets.
Boxer (Animal Farm)
Boxer is a character in the famous book Animal Farm by George Orwell. He is a hardworking and loyal horse who believes strongly in the ideals of the animal revolution. His story is a sad one, showing how hard work can sometimes be taken advantage of.
Boxer Underwear
"Boxer" can also refer to types of underwear:
- Boxer briefs: A type of men's underwear that combines the length of shorts with the snug fit of briefs.
- Boxer shorts: Loose-fitting shorts worn as underwear, similar to regular shorts but lighter.
Images for kids
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A boxing scene depicted on a Panathenaic amphora from Ancient Greece, circa 336 BC, British Museum
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A straight right demonstrated in Edmund Price's The Science of Defence: A Treatise on Sparring and Wrestling, 1867
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Tom Molineaux (left) vs Tom Cribb in a re-match for the heavyweight championship of England, 1811
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Amateur Boxing Club, Wales, 1963
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Robert Helenius (on the right) vs. Attila Levin (on the left) at Hartwall Arena in Helsinki, Finland on 27 November 2010.
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Ingemar Johansson of Sweden KO's heavyweight champion Floyd Patterson, 26 June 1959.
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Roberto Durán (right) held world championships in four weight classes: lightweight, welterweight, light middleweight and middleweight
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Firpo sending Dempsey outside the ring; painting by George Bellows.
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Famous brawler George Foreman
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Henry Armstrong was known for his aggressive, non-stop assault style of fighting.
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Ricardo Dominguez (left) throws an uppercut on Rafael Ortiz (right).
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Boxer Tina Rupprecht receiving instructions from her trainer while being treated by her cutman in the ring corner between rounds.
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Stamp honoring heavyweight champion Gene Tunney
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Former WBA (Super), IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight champion, Ukrainian Wladimir Klitschko
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Upright stance
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Semi-crouch
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Full crouch
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Jab
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Cross – in counter-punch with a looping
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Hook
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Slipping
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Bobbing
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Blocking (with the arms)
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Cover-Up (with the gloves)
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Clinching
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Footwork
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Pulling away
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Bolo punch
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Overhand (overcut)
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